Hassan to Europe over debt relief

Hassan to Europe over debt relief

INDONESIA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda will
visit several European countries to seek clarity on international
offers of a debt moratorium following the tsunami disaster.

Hassan, who will be accompanied by a technical team from the
finance ministry and the office of the top minister for the
economy, left on Sunday evening for Britain, foreign affairs
ministry spokesmen Yuri Thamrin said in Jakarta on Sunday.

He will also visit France, Italy, and Germany, Thamrin said,
without giving further details.

The Detikcom online news service quoted Hassan as saying the
trip's aim was to gain a greater understanding about the offers
of debt moratorium from those countries. Hassan said he would
meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the scheme.

"We will seek clarity on the debt moratorium contract," he
said, adding that he will also seek to reach a common perception
between donor countries and Indonesia on what the nation actually
needed. "Not only for the reconstruction of Aceh but also for the
recovery of the economy."

Government creditors in the Paris Club are this week due to
consider a debt moratorium for Sri Lanka and Indonesia, two of
the countries worst affected by last month's disaster. -- AFP